Unfortunately there isn't much"public" land in Texas except for the city parks and such. It has something to do with the original charter Texans signed off on when they entered the Union. I found that out when I first sought to deer hunt in Texas when I was stationed there in the Air Force. I am fortunate in one way since many of the parks and lakes here in Ok have public camping areas that usually let you go "prospecting" on them. I always check back in with the attendants and show them what I found and I am nearly always welcome back. Private enterprise is strictly up to the owners just like any private land. Monty
